How to develop your style
So, you take pictures for some time and you wonder: what’s actually my style?
At least I did, at some point.
Until I found out that finding your style is less about chasing some holy grail of originality, and more like realizing you’ve been wearing your favorite shirt all along and it feels damn good.
Anyway, rushing is not a good way. The truth is: style is a slow burn. Just like a favourite shirt - it’s something you grow into. And grow out of.
Here are some tips that might make it easier to find the way, at least on the beginning:
1. Stop trying to be someone else
It's tempting to mimic that one photographer who always nails foggy forests or neon-lit alleyways. But your job is not to copy - it’s to be curious. Borrow ideas? Absolutely. But steal with purpose, then remix them into something that sounds like you. You’re not them, and that’s your power move.
2. Notice what you keep shooting
When you understand this better, you will create better. Go through your archives. What pops up over and over again? What subjects do you return to without even trying? Moody landscapes? Old neon signs? Are you drawn to symmetry? Movement? Certain colors? That’s your subconscious doing its thing. Pay attention. That’s your visual comfort zone - aka a breadcrumb trail to your style. Follow it.
3. Edit like you mean it
Editing isn’t cheating, it’s seasoning, a part of storytelling. Over time, you'll naturally lean into certain tones, contrasts, or crops. That’s style, too. Those decisions add your fingerprints to the photo. And no, you don’t need a “preset pack” to be legit. But if you have difficulties to start - I’ve got you covered ;) Over time, your edits will reflect your instincts.
4. Don’t be afraid to be weird
Some of the best styles come from leaning into something a bit odd - shooting only on cloudy days, loving blurry frames, using expired film. If it feels good, keep doing it. Weird is good. Weird is memorable. If something feels “too odd,” do more of it.
5. Accept that it’s a moving target
Your style will shift. And that’s a good thing. That’s not inconsistency - it’s growth. If your photos look the same in five years, something’s off. Think of your style as a living thing. Let it stretch and evolve as you do.
If you like to stick it forever - it’s also fine. As long it’s yours, you enjoy it and you’re happy with it - all fine.
When you see you’re getting there
Finding your photographic style isn’t about following trends or mimicking others. It takes time.
It’s about discovering what speaks to you and letting that guide your work. It’s a process of exploration, experimentation, and reflection, not a destination with a clear endpoint.
As you grow, your style may evolve too - and that’s part of the beauty. So follow your curiosity, and keep shooting. The more you create, the clearer your voice will become.
At the end of the day, finding your photographic style just comes down to paying attention to what you’re drawn to.
Experimentation is the lab where your style is born. Repetition is how it sticks.
TL;DR - How to develop your style
Style isn’t something you find overnight, but something you grow into. It’s like your favorite shirt - it’s been there all along and it feels good.
Don’t try to copy someone else. Borrow ideas, be inspired, but remix into what feels like you. Copying might feel safe, but it hides your own voice.
Notice what you keep returning to in your own work. Go through past photos: themes, colors, subjects or compositions you’re naturally drawn to. Those repeat elements are clues to your style.
Editing is part of style. Your choices in tones, contrast, crops, mood are your fingerprints. Edit like you mean it. You don’t need presets, though they can help to start.
Be willing to be weird / embrace what feels “off.” Sometimes odd quirks - shooting in weird light, embracing imperfections - are what makes a style memorable.
Accept that style moves and changes over time. Style is a living thing. Growth and evolution are signs you’re doing it right. If things look exactly the same years later, maybe you haven’t pushed enough.
Ultimately style arises when you pay attention to what appeals to you, experiment freely, and repeat the things that feel meaningful. Over time, your visual voice becomes clearer.
Photographers! I created a guide (well, a mini-course is a better word), which will help you make more compelling, clean pictures.
It includes a little bit of theory, more examples images and practical tips/exercises.
Do you want to start making minimalistic, clean images that stand out? That guide is for you. And yes, it’s FREE.
